Monbat AD Donated Starter Batteries to the National Museum “Parahod Radetzky”

On the eve of June 2 – Day of Botev and the fallen for the freedom and independence of Bulgaria – Monbat AD provided free of charge to the branch of the National Historical Museum “Parahod Radetski” a set of starter batteries to ensure the voyages of the steamer, restored in 2021 after a long pause. After a thorough inspection of the electrical systems by a Monbat expert, the batteries were installed successfully.

The steamer Radetski has a special role in Bulgarian history and its functioning as a museum for the feat of Hristo Botev and the members of his detachment is extremely important for preserving the memory of the Bulgarian national liberation struggles for the generations. At the same time, the very construction of the vessel is related with the desire and efforts to enshrine the memory of the historical feat of Botev’s detachment.

The original steamer, built in 1851 in Budapest, was scraped in the early 20th century. Fortunately, in 1925 the last captain of the ship Dagobert Englender sent to Bulgaria the priceless relics of “Radetzky”: flag, seal, traps, on which Botev and his detachment landed on Bulgarian soil, a copy of the revolutionary’s letter to the captain and the passengers, explaining the capturing of the ship in French, etc.

In the 1950s, the idea arose to build a replica of the ship, whereas funds were raised from donations and voluntary work in brigades of 1,200,000 Bulgarian children. In 1966 the shipyard in Ruse built it on the hull, mechanical part and steam engine of a ship built in that same shipyard “Obuda” as “Radetski”. “Parahod Radetzky” has obtained the status of a national museum since 1982, and in 1988 was re-equipped with diesel engines, due to the resource depletion of steam engines.

The whole team of Monbat congratulates the team of the National Museum “Parahod Radetsky” for their dedication to the noble cause!